tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35150906.post8968369471132247297..comments2017-10-30T05:43:15.237+08:00Comments on Esperance Blog: Western Grey Kangaroo, Macropus fuliginosusWAhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09714877215893612150noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35150906.post-42281157404958565282007-09-25T11:12:00.000+08:002007-09-25T11:12:00.000+08:00>>I was expecting to see the same kangaroo numbers...>>I was expecting to see the same kangaroo numbers and habits when I visited Western Australia last year, but I saw very few, and observed none at length, which was disappointing. But, also, I did not see any road-killed roos, which was not surprising after I realised that roo numbers were far less than in the east, and I supposed their habits also differed.<<<BR/><BR/><BR/>Hi Gaye, re your comment above; I am not sure they are less common, but they are certainly less congregated. The Western Greys are possibly more active at night and less so during the day, so unless you read their tracks, you would think few if any were in the area. Whereas in the Eastern States I have often encountered mobs of eastern grey kangaroos feeding together during the day. Maybe this relates to the generally dryer environmental conditions to the west of The Great Divide.<BR/><BR/>Perhaps your other comment relating to the higher moisture requirements of the Eastern Grey Kangaroo is related (at least in part) to the habits of these two species, with the western greys being more economical with their moisture requirements. The type of vegetation they eat may also be an influence, as often there are more succulent plants growing in arid regions than in better watered areas where water conservation/storage (of plants) is less of a problem. I dare say there are also genetic considerations, but I doubt if much research has been conducted in that area.<BR/><BR/>Regards<BR/>Jack.Esperance Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09714877215893612150noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35150906.post-28190515917311624382007-09-24T18:43:00.000+08:002007-09-24T18:43:00.000+08:00A most interesting and informative account of our ...A most interesting and informative account of our kangaroos, Jack.<BR/><BR/>As you have mentioned, Eastern Greys can congregate in large mobs. It is not at all unusual to see them in the Hunter Valley, NSW, in mobs of about 30, although mobs of about 8 to 15 would be more common.<BR/><BR/>Unfortunately there are many road kills - my husband counted 7 fresh carcasses on his 60km trip to work this morning. Roos are commonly seen all year round in the Hunter Valley. During times of drought, roadsides provide green pick produced from run-off from light showers.<BR/><BR/>The country is starting to dry off, even after flooding winter rains, which brings the roos to the roadsides again - hence high fatalities.<BR/><BR/>It is always pleasant and heartening to see the roos resting and grazing early and late in the day.<BR/><BR/>I was expecting to see the same kangaroo numbers and habits when I visited Western Australia last year, but I saw very few, and observed none at length, which was disappointing. But, also, I did not see any road-killed roos, which was not surprising after I realised that roo numbers were far less than in the east, and I supposed their habits also differed.<BR/><BR/>Do you know how often Eastern Greys need to drink from a water source, rather than obtaining moisture from vegetation?<BR/><BR/>A most enjoyable blog entry, especially as I am so fond of seeing kangaroos in the 'wild'.<BR/><BR/>Regards<BR/>GayeGaye from the Hunterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02899430268722758947noreply@blogger.com